Kit for providing on-demand dry, wet or warm wet wipes

ABSTRACT

A kit for providing either a dry wipe, a wet wipe, or a warm wet wipe, on-demand, is provided. The kit may comprise a first container comprising dry wipes disposed therein, a second container comprising a heat-generating composition disposed therein, and a third container comprising a cleaning composition disposed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to disposable cleaning wipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable cleansing wipes for personal cleansing are known in the artand are used by consumers for a variety of reason. Typically, disposablecleansing wipes comprise a fibrous or film-like substrate. Depending onthe use for which the wipes are intended, the wipes may come in wet ordry forms. For examples, wipes may include compositions to aid in aparticular cleaning process. For example, wipes which are intended to beused for cleaning babies or young children may include a mild detergentcomposition, sanitizing agent, and/or moisturizing agent, thosecompositions aiding in the cleaning process.

Nowadays, more and more new benefits are offered to consumers in orderto meet their needs. For instance, wipes impregnated with a specificlotion preserving the hydration of the skin or wipes delivering asoothing or protective lotion to the skin are available.

The release of the uncomfortable or undesirable cool to the touch thatmay be felt when a wet wipe contacts the skin of a user and especiallythe relatively sensitive skin of a baby or a young child, is one of thenew benefits provided to consumers, in the form of so called “warmwipes”. A variety of warm wipes is known from literature, for example EP1 310 186B1, WO 2005/068916, WO 2006/071319, WO 2007/138498. Those wipesrelease heat to the external environment as the result of an exothermicchemical reaction. For instance, dry wipes may include, within theirfibrous structure, compounds which will react exothermically whencombined with water. In an alternative way of providing warm wipes, wetwipes may be impregnated at the point of dispensing with a compositionthat will react exothermically upon contact with the wet wipes.

A plethora of wipes is available on the market to meet various needs ofconsumers. However, none of the available products enables users totailor the wipes on-demand to the intended use and so to their needs.Indeed, especially in situations such as away from home, having atdisposal the right wipes would imply carrying and storing severalproducts, for example containers for each type of wipes that might beneeded, such as a container for dry wipes, a container for wet wipes, acontainer for warm wipes. Hence, there is a need for an article ofcommerce that would enable consumers to tailor easily, conveniently andon-demand wipes to the intended use in order to meet their needs.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a kit enablingusers to tailor easily and on-demand wipes to meet their various needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A kit as disclosed herein may provide a dry wipe, a wet wipe, or a warmwet wipe, on-demand. The kit may comprise:

-   (a) a first container having at least one dry wipe disposed therein,    the first container being adapted to store and dispense the dry wipe-   (b) a second container having a heat-generating composition    comprising at least one heating agent disposed therein, the second    container being adapted to store and dispense the heat-generating    composition-   (c) a third container having a cleaning composition disposed    therein, the third container being adapted to store and dispense the    cleaning composition, the cleaning composition reacting    exothermically upon contact with the heat-generating composition.

In one embodiment, the kit further comprises a set of instructions forcommunicating to a consumer that the kit provides on-demand either:

-   -   dry wipes by pulling out wipes from the first container; and/or    -   wet wipes by dispensing the cleaning composition from the third        container onto the dry wipes from the first container; and/or    -   warm wet wipes by dispensing the cleaning composition from the        third container and the heat-generating composition from the        second container onto the dry wipes from the first container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a kit comprising a setof instructions.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a kit, wherein thecontainers are held in assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a kit comprising afourth container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein the term “nonwoven” refers to a fibrous structure madefrom an assembly of continuous fibers, coextruded fibers, noncontinuousfibers or combinations thereof, without weaving or knitting.Non-limiting examples of suitable processes for making a nonwoveninclude spunbonding, carding, meltblowing, air laying, wet laying,coform, and the like. The nonwoven structure may comprise one or morelayers of such fibrous assemblies, wherein each layer may includecontinuous fibers, coextruded fibers, noncontinuous fibers andcombinations thereof.

As used herein, the term “chemical reaction” generally refers to achemical transformation or change resulting from the interaction ofchemical entities.

As used herein the term “exothermic reaction” generally refers to achemical reaction that releases heat to the external environment.

As used herein, the term “heat generating composition” refers to acomposition comprising at least one heating agent.

As used herein, the term “heating agent” generally refers to an elementof a heat-generating composition that undergoes a chemical reaction whenit is combined with a co-reactant, resulting in the evolution of heatenergy (i.e., an exothermic reaction). Non-limiting examples of suitableheating agents are provided in more detail herein below.

As used herein, the term “wet wipe” refers to a dry wipe impregnatedwith the cleaning composition of the kit.

As used herein, the term “warm wet wipe” refers to a dry wipeimpregnated with both the cleaning composition and the heat-generatingcomposition of the kit.

Kit

The kit for providing on-demand either a dry wipe, a wet wipe, or a warmwet wipe may comprise:

(a) a first container comprising at least one dry wipe disposed therein,the first container being adapted to store and dispense the dry wipe;(b) a second container comprising a heat-generating compositioncomprising at least one heating agent disposed therein, the secondcontainer being adapted to store and dispense the heat-generatingcomposition; and(c) a third container comprising a cleaning composition disposedtherein, the third container being adapted to store and dispense thecleaning composition, the cleaning composition reacting exothermicallyupon contact with the heat-generating composition.

The kit may be particularly suitable for use in the context of baby orchild care, such as during a diaper change process. However, as it willbe understood at the reading of the present disclosure, it can also beused in any situations where dry wipes, wet wipes or warm wet wipesmight be desired.

The First Container for Storing and Dispensing Dry Wipes

The kit may comprise a first container having at least one dry wipedisposed therein, typically a plurality of dry wipes (e.g. 2 to 100).The first container is adapted to store and dispense dry wipes. The drywipes described herein may comprise a fibrous nonwoven web. The fibersfor making the web may include natural fibers, such as, for examplefibers from wood pulp, starch, plant sources, and animal sources. Thefibers may also include synthetic fibers, such as, for example fibersmade from polyesters, polyolefins, polyethers, polyamides,polyesteramides, polyvinylalcohols, polyhydroxyalkanoates, andpolysaccharides. The fibers may also include a combination of naturaland synthetic fibers in any proportion, as desired. However, it is to beunderstood that in certain embodiments it may be desirable to haveparticular combinations of fibers to provide desired characteristics.For example, it may be desirable to have fibers of certain lengths,widths, coarseness or other characteristics combined in certain layersor separate from each other. The fibers may be of virtually any size andmay have an average length from 1 mm to 60 mm. Average fiber lengthrefers to the length of the individual fibers if straightened out. Thefibers may have an average fiber width of greater than 5 micrometers.Suitable examples of fibers and fibrous webs are described in copendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/796,984, filed by Sawin, et al., onApr. 30, 2007. The dry wipes may also be woven or partly wovensubstrate.

The container for storing the dry wipes is configured to enable thedispensing of the wipes. Typically, a container has at least one openingthat enables a user to access the wipes. The container may be of anyshape known to the skilled person. Typically, the container may berectangular, square, cylindrical and may be made of flexible or solidmaterial. The container may also include a lid or other means tosubstantially cover the opening of the container. The container maycomprise an opening to enable the consumer to refill it. The containermay be adapted for a single use (e.g., the container is manufacturedcontaining a predetermined number of wipes, which are not intended to bereplaced after use) or the container may be reusable (e.g., thecontainer may be adapted for storing a replaceable cartridge of wipes).Within the container, the wipes may be independently folded and stackedin a pile of pre-cut wipes or they may be provided in the form of a rollof wipes with lines of weakness for an easier dispensing of individualwipes.

The dry wipes comprised in the first container of the present kit may beadvantageously used as a drying wipe suitable for instance to aid in theremoval of water or any liquid or solid substances from the skin or fromany surfaces.

The Second Container for Storing and Dispensing the Heat-GeneratingComposition

The kit may comprise a second container having a heat-generatingcomposition comprising at least one heating agent disposed therein. Thesecond container is adapted to store and dispense the heat-generatingcomposition. The container may be any containers known to the skilledman of the art. It may be of any forms such as cylindrical, rectangular,square and may be made of flexible or solid material. Suitably, thecontainer may be selected from the group consisting of spray bottles,pump-dispensers, foaming pump-dispensers, sticks, roll-on dispensers,tubes, bottles, combinations thereof. The container may be mounted witha manually operated actuator.

The heat-generating composition is stored in the storage space of thecontainer. The composition may be disposed directly within the containerwhich may be conceived to be refillable or replaced once empty. Forinstance, the container may have a removable closure permitting torefill the container once the composition has been exhausted.

The heat-generating composition for use with kit may include at leastone heating agent or a mixture of heating agents and may include one ormore adjunct ingredients. The heat-generating composition may beconfigured as a liquid solution, however, it is to be understood thatthe heat-generating composition may also be configured as a solid,semi-solid or a gas, as desired. For example, the heat-generatingcomposition may be a material that is a solid at room temperature, buthas a low melting point.

The at least one heating agent comprised in the heat-generatingcomposition is selected such that the heat-generating composition willrelease heat upon contact with the cleaning composition. Suitableheating agents include agents having an exothermic heat of reaction,such as, for example agent demonstrating an exothermic heat of hydrationwhen reacted with an aqueous solution. Examples of suitable heatingagents include, without limitation, salts of calcium, magnesium,aluminum, sodium, and potassium; zeolites; metals; slaked lime; quicklime; glycols; and combinations thereof. Particularly suitable examplesof heating agents include anhydrous salts of magnesium chloride, calciumchloride and/or magnesium sulphate. Exothermic reactions involvinganhydrous salts and an aqueous solution may be exemplified, however, itis to be understood that any suitable exothermic chemical reaction iscontemplated herein. In one embodiment, two or more heating agents maybe comprised in the heat-generating composition that act individually orcooperatively to produce heat, for example through an exothermicchemical reaction with one or more ingredients of a cleaningcomposition.

The heating agent may be provided in the heat-generating composition inany suitable concentration. For example the heat-generating compositionmay comprise from 0.001% to less than 50% of a heating agent or mixturesthereof, from 0.01% to less than 25%; less than 10%; or even less than1%, by weight of the heat-generating composition. The heat-generatingcomposition may be anhydrous. By anhydrous, it is meant that theheat-generating composition does not comprise more than 5% of water.

In addition to a heating agent, the heat-generating composition mayinclude at least one neurosensory agent or a mixture thereof. As usedherein, the term “neurosensory agent” refers to ingredients that give aperception of heat when applied to the skin, (i.e., compositions thatinduce a perception of temperature change without involving an actualchange in temperature, such as, for example peppermint oil, eucalyptol,eucalyptus oil, methyl salicylate, camphor, tea tree oil, ketals,carboxamides, cyclohexanol derivatives, cyclohexyl derivatives, and thelike). A suitable neurosensory agent may enhance the warming effectperceived by a user of a warm wipe described herein. Suitably, theheat-generating composition may comprise between 0 and 15%, or between0.001 and 10% or between 0.01 and 1% of neurosensory agents by weight ofheat-generating compositions. In one example, a heat-generatingcomposition having a heating agent that comprises magnesium sulphate anda neurosensory agent that comprises methyl salicylate may be provided.In this example, when the heat-generating composition is contacted withan aqueous cleaning composition, the magnesium sulphate chemicallyreacts with the aqueous cleaning composition to produce an increase inthe temperature of the compositions applied to the wipe and the methylsalicylate may produce a sensory perception of heat when the wipe iscontacted with the skin of a user.

The heat-generating composition may comprise at least one adjunctingredient or a mixture thereof. A number of adjunct ingredients aresuitable for inclusion in the heat-generating composition, such as, forexample, cleansing agents, appearance modifying agents (e.g.,exfoliation agents, skin-firming agents, anti-callous agents, anti-acneagents, anti-aging agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-dandruff agents,antiperspirant agents, wound care agents, scar repair agents, colorants,humectants, powders, skin coloration agents, tanning agents, lighteningagents, brightening agents, and shine control agents), enzymes,nutrients (e.g., anti-oxidants, transdermal drug delivery agents,botanical extracts, vitamins, magnets, foods, and drugs),anti-bacterials, anti-virals, anti-fungals, preservatives, insectrepellants, anti-parasite agents, surface conditioning agents (e.g., pHadjusting agents, moisturizers, shaving lubricants, and skin lipids),anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., skin conditioners, external analgesicagents, anti-irritant agents, and anti-allergy agents), and emotionalbenefit agents (e.g., fragrances, odor neutralizing materials, soothingagents, calming agents) and mixture thereof. Suitably, theheat-generating composition may comprise between 0 and 50%, or between0.001 and 10% or between 0.01 and 1% of adjunct ingredients by weight ofheat-generating composition, depending on function of the adjunctmaterial and desired performance.

The heat-generating composition may include a matrix material forcarrying the heating agent and the adjunct ingredient(s), if present.Suitable examples of matrix materials include, without limitation,mineral oil, isopropyl myristate, silicones, copolymers (e.g., blockcopolymers), waxes, butters, exotic oils, dimethicone, glycols (e.g.ethyleneglycol, propyleneglycol and any polyethyleneglycol), thermoionicgels, plant oils, animal oils, and combinations thereof. Particularlysuitable matrix materials are hydrophilic, but anhydrous materials, e.g.polyethyleneglycol's with molecular weight from 200 to 10000, Glycols,Glycerin and the like. Suitable matrix materials include oils commonlyused in commercial cosmetic applications that may impart some skinbenefit to the user, such as a moisturizing or lubricating benefit.Generally, these oils are hydrophobic oils. The heat-generatingcomposition may comprise any suitable proportion of matrix material,heating agent, and adjunct ingredients. For example, the heat-generatingcomposition may comprise from 1% to 99% of a matrix material, by weightof the heat-generating composition.

In certain embodiments, the heat-generating composition may also includea surfactant or mixture thereof. Any one of a number of surfactant typesincluding anionic, cationic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and combinationsthereof may be utilized. One skilled in the art will recognize, based onthe disclosure herein, that different heating agents in combination withdifferent matrix materials and adjunct ingredients may benefit from onetype of surfactant more than another; that is, the preferred surfactantfor one chemistry may be different than the preferred surfactant foranother. Particularly desirable surfactants will allow theheat-generating composition to have a suitable viscosity for thoroughmixing; that is, the surfactant will not result in the mixture having anundesirably high viscosity. Suitably, the heat-generating compositionmay comprise between 0 and 50%, or between 0.001 and 10% or between 0.01and 1% of surfactants by weight of heat-generating compositions. Theheat-generating composition may also comprise auxiliary raw materialsinfluencing the physical state of the formulation, e.g. rheologymodifiers to induce shear sensitivity, thickeners, and waxes.

The warm wet wipes provided by the kit may be advantageously used as ameans for instance to release the uncomfortable or undesirable cool tothe touch that might otherwise be felt by a user when a conventional wetwipe contacts the skin. In addition or alternatively, the warm wipes mayalso enhance the cleaning process. Indeed, it is known that at leastsome cleaning composition provide better cleaning results when thesolution is warm. For example, some warm aqueous solutions (e.g., havinga temperature greater than 27° C.) are known to dissolve certaincontaminates better than cold compositions (e.g., having a temperatureless than 10° C.). The warm wet wipes provided by the kit may alsoenhance the benefits that may be provided by the ingredients comprisedin the cleaning composition described herein below. Indeed, the warmingeffect may for instance enhance the benefits provided by essential oilsthat may be comprised in the cleaning composition by helping in thediffusion process. In another example, the warming effect may dilate thepores of the skin and thus increase the penetration of the ingredientsof the composition in the skin. Warm wet wipes may be used in anyapplication including baby, children or adult post bowel movementcleaning, feminine hygiene wipes, polishing wipes, body cleansing wipes,floor cleaning wipes, dish cleaning wipes.

The Third Container for Storing and Dispensing the Cleaning Composition

The kit may comprise a third container having a cleaning compositiondisposed therein. The third container is adapted to store and dispensethe cleaning composition. The cleaning composition is conceived to reactexothermically with the at least one heating agent comprised in theheat-generating composition. The third container may be of sameconstruction as the second container or may be different. The containermay be any container known to the skilled man of the art. It may be ofany forms such as cylindrical, rectangular, square and may be made offlexible or solid material. Suitably, the container may be selected fromthe group consisting of spray bottles, pump-dispensers, foamingpump-dispensers, sticks, roll-on dispensers, tubes, bottles,combinations thereof. The container may be mounted with a manuallyoperated actuator.

The cleaning composition is stored in the storage space of thecontainer. The composition may be disposed directly within the containerwhich may be conceived to be refillable or replaced once empty. Forinstance, the container may have a removable closure permitting torefill the container once the composition has been exhausted.

The cleaning composition for use with the kit may be any liquidcomposition commonly known in the art to clean or treat varioussurfaces, such as hard surfaces, inanimate objects, animate surfaces,human body parts, etc. While particular examples may describe the use ofthe kit in the context of baby or child care such as the use during adiaper changing process, it is believed that the kit may, in fact, bepracticed to great advantage in any situation where wipes exhibiting thedescribed characteristics are required. Suitably, it may be used toclean hands and faces, to apply various care products or pre-treat theskin for subsequent application of skin care products. The wet wipes maybe suitably used as baby, children or adult post bowel movement cleaningwipes, feminine hygiene wipes, polishing wipes, body cleansing wipes,floor cleaning wipes, dish cleaning wipes.

In one embodiment, the cleaning composition of the kit is a liquidcomposition. The cleaning composition may be water, an aqueous solutionor may be an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion. Suitably, the liquidcleaning composition comprises between 1% and 100%, or between 5% and100% or between 20% and 100% of water by weight of the cleaningcomposition. Suitably the cleaning composition reacts exothermicallywith one or more heating agents comprised in the heat-generatingcomposition upon contact. The heat-generating composition may becontacted with the cleaning composition to provide an exothermicreaction that heats the wipe, thereby providing a warm wet wipe. Thecleaning composition such as a skin care composition or a personalcleaning composition may also be applied alone on the dry wipe toprovide a wet wipe.

The cleaning composition may also comprise one or more adjunctsingredients. A number of adjunct ingredients are suitable for inclusionin the cleaning composition, such as, for example, cleansing agents,appearance modifying agents (e.g., exfoliation agents, skin-firmingagents, anti-callous agents, anti-acne agents, anti-aging agents,anti-wrinkle agents, anti-dandruff agents, antiperspirant agents, woundcare agents, scar repair agents, colorants, humectants, powders, skincoloration agents, tanning agents, lightening agents, brighteningagents, and shine control agents), enzymes, nutrients (e.g.,anti-oxidants, transdermal drug delivery agents, botanical extracts,vitamins, foods, and drugs), anti-bacterials, anti-virals, anti-fungals,preservatives, insect repellants, anti-parasite agents, surfaceconditioning agents (e.g., pH adjusting agents, moisturizers, shavinglubricants, and skin lipids), anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., skinconditioners, external analgesic agents, anti-irritant agents, andanti-allergy agents), emotional benefit agents (e.g., fragrances, odorneutralizing materials, soothing agents, calming agents) or any mixturethereof. Suitably, the cleaning composition may comprise between 0 and50%, or between 0 and 10% or between 0 and 1% of adjunct ingredients byweight of cleaning compositions. In certain embodiments, the cleaningcomposition may also include a surfactant or a mixture thereof. Any oneof a number of surfactant types including anionic, cationic, nonionic,zwitterionic, and combinations thereof may be utilized. Suitably, thecleaning composition may comprise between 0 and 50%, or between 0.001and 10% or between 0.01 and 1% of surfactants by weight of cleaningcomposition. The cleaning composition may also comprise auxiliary rawmaterials influencing the physical state of the formulation, e.g.rheology modifiers to induce shear sensitivity, thickeners, and/orwaxes.

In another embodiment, the cleaning composition may be in a solid orconcentrated form. Such cleaning composition may comprise any of theadjunct ingredients and/or surfactants described herein before. Prior touse of the kit, the user is instructed to dilute the solid orconcentrated cleaning composition with water, such as tap water, toprovide an aqueous cleaning composition.

The wet wipes provided by the kit may be advantageously used to clean ortreat any surfaces as described previously. They may also be used torefresh the skin of a user.

Fourth Container

The kit may comprise a fourth container wherein a user of the kit maydispense the cleaning composition from the third container or theheat-generating composition from the second container and the cleaningcomposition from the third container and then soaks the dry wipe in thisfourth container. The fourth container is adapted to receive thecomposition(s) once dispensed from its/their container(s) and helps theuser to impregnate the dry wipes. The fourth container may be anycontainer known to the skilled man of the art. It may be of any formssuch as cylindrical, rectangular, square. Suitably, the fourth containeris an open bowl.

The kit may be packaged in a common package and sold as a single articleof commerce. The first, second and third container may be three physicaldistinct entities. They may also be conceived to be held in assembly.The first, second and third container may also be commercially marketedtogether, but packaged and sold separately.

Set of Instructions

The kit according may further comprise a set of instructions inassociation with the package for communicating to a consumer thebenefits/results imparted by the combination of the different elementsof the kit and also instructions to teach the consumer how to use thedifferent elements of the kit to get the desired benefits. Indeed aconsumer may not immediately know how to appropriately use the dry wipe,the heat-generating composition and the cleaning composition to achievethe optimal results.

Thus, the set of instructions may communicate to a consumer that the kitmay provide either dry wipes by pulling out wipes from the firstcontainer, wet wipes by dispensing the cleaning composition from thethird container onto the dry wipes from the first container and/or warmwet wipes by dispensing the cleaning composition from the thirdcontainer and the heat-generating composition from the second containeronto the dry wipes from the first container. With such a set ofinstructions, the user may identify how to have easily and on-demandwipes adapted to the desired cleaning task. This might particularlyappreciated during the course of a diaper change process. Depending onthe matter to be done, e.g. removing traces of urine or removing bowelmovements, different wipes might be needed. For example, in a first stepof a diaper change, a dry wipe might be useful to remove the excess ofbowel movements. In a second step, the user might appreciate to have awarm wet wipe to clean the bottom of the baby and eliminate all theresidual traces of urine or bowel movements. A warm wet wipe may beuseful to improve the dissolution of certain contaminates.Alternatively, the user might prefer to have a wet wipe to accommodatethe external conditions. In a third step, the user may appreciate tohave a dry wipe to dry the skin of the baby before placing a new diaper.

The set of instructions may teach a user to dispense the heat-generatingcomposition and/or the cleaning composition directly onto the wipes thatare then crumpled in hands or to dispense the heat-generatingcomposition and/or the cleaning composition into a fourth container suchas a bowl that may be provided with the kit and to soak the wipes in thefourth container. The set of instructions may be in any form. Suitably,the set of instruction is in the form of text, graphics, charts, visualscues, other indicia or combination thereof.

The second and/or third container may be adapted to be actuated by theuser (e.g., manually operated pump or trigger type sprayer), such that apredetermined amount of the heat-generating composition and/or apredetermined amount of cleaning composition are dispensed with eachactuation of the pump or of the sprayer. Indeed, it may be desirable toadapt one or more elements of the kit to increase the control that auser has over the warming process or over the wetting process. In anexample, the second container may be selected and adapted to provide asuitable amount of control over the amount of heat-generatingcomposition dispensed from the second container. For instance, thesecond container may be adapted to be actuated by the user such as apredetermined amount of heat-generating composition is dispensed witheach actuation of the second container. This may result in a suitableamount of control over the amount of temperature change of the wipe andin a relationship between the number of actuations and the temperatureincrease of the wipe. In another example, the third container may beselected and adapted to provide a suitable control over the amount ofcleaning composition dispensed from the third container. For instance,the third container may be adapted to be actuated by the user such as apredetermined amount of cleaning composition is dispensed with eachactuation of the third container. This may result in a suitable amountof control over the wetness of the wipe and in a relationship betweenthe number of actuations and the wetness of the wipe. In anotherexample, both the second and third container may be selected and adaptedto provide a suitable control over the amount of compositions dispensedthere from. The relationship between the number of actuations and thetemperature increase of the wipe and/or the relationship between thenumber of actuations and the wetness of the wipe may be communicate to aconsumer. In one embodiment, the kit may comprise a set of instructionsfor communicating to a consumer a relationship between the number ofactuations of the third container and the wetness of the wipes after thecleaning composition has been applied to the dry wipes and/or forcommunicating to a consumer a relationship between the number ofactuations of the second container and a temperature increase of thewipes after the heat-generating composition and cleaning compositionhave been applied to the dry wipes. The set of instructions may be inany forms. Typically, the set of instruction is in the form of text,graphics, charts, visuals cues, other indicia or combination thereof.Those set of instructions may provide a consumer with more usageflexibility and control over the amount of heat-generating compositionapplied to the wipe and the wet-wipe temperature attained than if theheating agent were pre-applied to the wet-wipe, i.e., applied duringmanufacturing or prior to purchase by a consumer. Alternatively oradditionally, a user may be able to control the time that the wet-wiperemains at a particular temperature by re-applying the heat-generatingcomposition to the wipe when the temperature of the wipe becomesundesirably low. In addition, a manufacturer may be able to communicateto a consumer, in quantitative or qualitative terms, the rate or amountof temperature change on a wet-wipe for a particular number ofactuations over a particular amount of time.

The set of instructions may be either directly printed on the commonpackage of the kit and/or on either the dry-wipes container, theheat-generating composition container and/or the cleaning compositioncontainer. Alternatively or in addition, the set of instruction ispresented in a separated manner including, but not limited to, abrochure, printed advertisement, so as to communicate the set ofinstructions to a consumer. The first, second and third containers mayinclude the same or similar set of instructions in the form of text,graphics, visuals cues or combination thereof. The three containers mayalso include different indicia that act cooperatively to communicate toa consumer that the dry wipes, the heat-generating composition and thecleaning composition, when used together, provide different benefits.

With reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a kit providing on-demandeither a dry wipe, a wet wipe and/or a warm wet wipe is illustrated. Thekit comprises a first container (1) for storing and dispensing the drywipes (2). The first container is made of a generally rectangular-shapedtub having a front panel, a back panel, opposite side panels and abottom panel defining the internal compartment of the container. Thecontainer comprises one opening (3) to enable the user to access thewipes. The kit comprises a second container (4) for storing theheat-generating composition and a third container (5) for storing thecleaning composition. Dispensing means such as manually operated pumpsare mounted on the containers (6, 7). The three containers are packagein a common package (8). A set of instructions (9) is provided on thepackage for communicating to a consumer the benefits imparted by the kitand also to teach the consumer how to use the different elements of thekit.

With reference to FIG. 2, another embodiment of a kit providingon-demand either a dry wipe, a wet wipe and/or a warm wet wipe isillustrated. The kit comprises a first container (11) for storing anddispensing the dry wipes (12). The first container is made of agenerally rectangular-shaped tub having a front panel, a back panel,opposite side panels and a bottom panel defining the internalcompartment of the container. The container comprises one opening (13)to enable the user to access the wipes. The kit comprises a secondcontainer (14) for storing the heat-generating composition and a thirdcontainer (15) for storing the cleaning composition. Dispensing meanssuch as manually operated pumps are mounted on the containers (16, 17).A set of instructions (19) is provided as a brochure for communicatingto a consumer the benefits imparted by the kit and also to teach theconsumer how to use the different elements of the kit. In the embodimentof FIG. 2, the first container (11), the second container (14) and thethird container (15) are held in assembly.

With reference to FIG. 3, another embodiment of a kit providingon-demand either a dry wipe, a wet wipe and/or a warm wet wipe isillustrated. The kit comprises a first container (111) for storing anddispensing the dry wipes (112). The first container is made of agenerally rectangular-shaped tub having a front panel, a back panel,opposite side panels and a bottom panel defining the internalcompartment of the container. The container comprises one opening (113)to enable the user to access the wipes. The kit comprises a secondcontainer (114) for storing the heat-generating composition and a thirdcontainer (115) for storing the cleaning composition. Dispensing meanssuch as manually operated pumps are mounted on the containers (116,117). The kit comprises a fourth container (120) (e.g. an open bowl)adapted to receive the composition(s) once dispensed from theircontainer(s) and enabling the soaking of the wipe. The four containersare packaged in a common package (118). A set of instructions (119) isprovided on the package for communicating to a consumer the benefitsimparted by the kit and also to teach the consumer how to use thedifferent elements of the kit.

EXAMPLES

A representative example of a heat-generating composition is given asexample A below.

Example A

Component Amount (% by weight) (1) Magnesium sulfate anhydrous 15 (2)Glyceryl Monostearate 2 (3) PEG-4 Balance Total 100A representative example of a cleaning composition is given as Example Bbelow.

Example B

Component Amount (% by weight)  (1) Disodium EDTA 0.10  (2) Arlatone-V175 ™ * 0.80  (3) Decylglycoside 0.05  (4) CyclopentasiloxaneDimethiconol 0.45  (5) 1,2-Propyleneglycol 1.50  (6) Phenoxyethanol 0.80 (7) Methylparaben 0.15  (8) Propylparaben 0.05  (9) Ethylparaben 0.05(10) PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil 0.80 (11) Perfume 0.05 (12) Purifiedwater Balance Total 100 * Arlatone-V 175 ™ comprises sucrose palmitate,glyceryl stearate, glyceryl stearate citrate, sucrose, mannan, xanthangum and is commercialized by Uniqema GmbH&Co. KG 46429 Emmerich,Germany, www.uniqema.com.

Representative example of wipes is given below.

The dry wipes are made of a carded nonwoven comprising a 40/60 blend ofviscose fibers and polypropylene fibers having a basis weight of 58grams/m2 as available from Suominen of Tampere, Finland as FIBRELLA3160.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A kit for providing a dry wipe, a wet wipe, or a warm wet wipe,on-demand, the kit comprising: (a) a first container for storing anddispensing a dry wipe and comprising at least one dry wipe disposedtherein; (b) a second container for storing and dispensing aheat-generating composition and comprising the heat-generatingcomposition disposed therein, the heat-generating composition comprisingat least one heating agent; and (c) a third container for storing anddispensing a cleaning composition and comprising the cleaningcomposition disposed therein, the cleaning composition beingexothermically reactable with the heat-generating composition.
 2. Thekit according to claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third containerare packaged in a common package or held in assembly.
 3. The kitaccording to claim 1 wherein the kit further comprises graphics, charts,visuals cues, indicia or combination thereof for communicating to aconsumer that the kit provides either dry wipes by pulling out wipesfrom the first container, and/or wet wipes by dispensing the cleaningcomposition from the third container onto the dry wipes from the firstcontainer, and/or warm wet wipes by dispensing the cleaning compositionfrom the third container and the heat-generating composition from thesecond container onto the dry wipes from the first container.
 4. The kitaccording to claim 1 wherein the second and/or third container(s) areselected from the group consisting of spray bottles, pump-dispensers,foaming pump-dispensers, sticks, roll-on dispensers, tubes, bottles, andcombinations thereof.
 5. The kit according to claim 5 wherein the secondand/or third container(s) are actuable by a user, such that apredetermined amount of the heat-generating composition and/or apredetermined amount of cleaning composition is dispensed with eachactuation.
 6. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the second and/orthird containers are selected from the group consisting of spraybottles, pump-dispensers, foaming pump-dispensers, sticks, roll-ondispensers, tubes, bottles, combinations thereof, and wherein the secondand/or third container are adapted to be actuated by a user, such that apredetermined amount of the heat-generating composition and/or apredetermined amount of cleaning composition are dispensed with eachactuation, and wherein the kit comprises a set of instructions forcommunicating to a consumer a relationship between the number ofactuations of the third container and the wetness of the wipes after thecleaning composition has been applied to the dry wipes.
 7. The kitaccording to claim 1 wherein the second and/or third containers areselected from the group consisting of spray bottles, pump-dispensers,foaming pump-dispensers, sticks, roll-on dispensers, tubes, bottles,combinations thereof, and wherein the second and/or third container areadapted to be actuated by a user, such that a predetermined amount ofthe heat-generating composition and/or a predetermined amount ofcleaning composition are dispensed with each actuation, and wherein thekit comprises graphics, charts, visuals cues, indicia or combinationsthereof for communicating to a consumer a relationship between thenumber of actuations of the second container and a temperature increaseof the wipes after the heat-generating compositions and cleaningcomposition have been applied to the dry wipes.
 8. The kit according toclaim 1 wherein the kit comprises a fourth container for receiving atleast one of the heat-generating composition dispensed from the secondcontainer and the cleaning composition dispensed from the thirdcontainer, the fourth container being able to help a user impregnate thedry wipes with at least one of the heat-generating composition, thecleaning composition, or a mixture of these.
 9. The kit according toclaim 1 wherein the heat-generating composition is anhydrous.
 10. Thekit according to claim 1 wherein the at least one heating agent isselected from the group consisting of salts of calcium, magnesium,aluminum, sodium, and potassium; zeolites; metals; slaked lime; quicklime; glycols; and combinations thereof.
 11. The kit according to claim1 wherein the cleaning composition is in a liquid, solid or concentratedform.